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Kaleo Wassman – Vocals/Guitar
Bret Bollinger – Vocals/Bass
Yesod Williams – Drums
“It’s the hardest thing we’ve ever done as a band to make this record,” says guitarist/vocalist Kaleo Wassman of Pepper, in speaking on the recording process of their new self-titled album. “It speaks loudly and widely to a broader audience while maintaining everything good about the band, which, first of all, is our positive attitude.” After releasing five albums, Pepper has opened a new chapter in their storied career. Drummer Yesod Williams adds, “This record feels very cohesive in a way our past releases maybe didn’t. I think it’s an album that can appeal to everyone, as well. We’ve been pigeonholed in the past so this is an opportunity to transcend all that and spread our wings even wider.”
The trio, who formed in 1997 and moved to the mainland from their hometown of Kailua Kona, Hawaii in 1999, pressed pause after the release of their fifth album, Pink Crustaceans and Good Vibrations, in 2008. There was a sense of fatigue and disunity amongst the three musicians, who took some time off from music both apart and together before rejoining to create an EP, Stiches, in late 2010. The songs on that release re-energized the group, revealing an urgent desire to make a new album that reflected where they are in their lives and career now. After some tour dates in support of the EP, Pepper sat down and focused on their sixth album, a self-titled released that swings open the door on this new chapter.
The musicians went into the studio with Matt Wallace, a producer known for his work with Maroon 5, O.A.R. and Faith No More, in early 2012. Matt helped focus the group’s vision and expand their musical knowledge base, an experience the band members compare to being in their own version of college. The album was recorded in various studios over the course of a year, honing in on Pepper’s re-defined self-identity and how that focus was reflected in the songs.
“We learned so much,” Yesod says. “Matt help us really focus on the art of songwriting. He sat in the room with the three of us with a fine-tooth comb and went over every word, every melody, every sound. He showed us that it’s important what you do play as well as what you don’t play, creating both spaces in the songs. We learned how powerful simplicity can be. Plus, we had such a good time recording this album and I think that shows.”
The resulting album, self-titled to accentuate where the band feels they are presently, broadens Pepper’s style, veering into new sonic territory while still retaining all the fun elements that make the band so beloved by their fans. The ever-present sense of life surges through the tracks, bolstering the sense of optimism throughout. The party anthems, the beach hang melodies, and the boisterous rhythms are all there, each song carefully crafted to best express these sunny moments by the ocean.
“This album is basically 12 snapshots of where we are,” vocalist/bassist Bret Bollinger says. “There are songs that will remind you of your favorite Pepper songs, but by the end you’ll hear some unexpected things. You’ll realize that the songwriting is so much more refined. And there’s laughter in the background of the songs. That’s how good the vibe is on the record.”
Pepper has toured extensively with groups like 311, Slightly Stoopid, Flogging Molly and Sublime With Rome, and spent several summers on Warped Tour – and this live sensibility shows. You can almost feel the sand in your toes and the sun on your back as the album progresses, the musician’s amiable personalities palpable beneath the island rhythms and mellow tones. The band’s music – both live and on their releases – is really about enjoying life and being grateful for each experience, a sensibility that’s very familiar to the three musicians currently in their career. From their 1999 debut Give’n It to their 2006 standout album No Shame, which was recorded with 311’s Nick Hexum, No Doubt’s Tony Kanal and Butthole Surfers’ Paul Leary, Pepper has embodied not only a style of music but a lifestyle, one that’s most easily found on beaches across the world, but also one that’s relatable to anyone anywhere.
Released via their own label LAW Records, their universal appeal has led their music being placed in various movies and TV shows, including Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Good Luck Chuck, as well as several video game soundtracks. The band’s story to date has been a prolific one. But as Pepper turns the page into a fresh chapter with this new album, it’s clear that the band’s passion for music and life will continue on for years to come.
“We’re so blessed to be in this position,” Kaleo says. “We want to do the best we can with it. We had humble beginnings in our small town in Hawaii and we’re still that same humble band. We don’t take any of this lightly. Every day I wake up and think about how I have the best job in the world. The level of gratitude and happiness I have that we’re able to do this is incredible and I hope people can hear that when they listen to our new songs.”
Stand & Fall
Pepper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rips right through all our pages
And there ain't no going back
We've run through all these stages
Sent here from many places
And I'm still coming back
Oh I've watched you fall
It ain't changed nothing at all
Yeah yeah
But if I'm still your man
And we've been through it all
To me that's beautiful
And when the tide changes
You can see me fall
They'll just go masquerade themselves
And never bleed for you at all
But if you lift your arms up now
'Cause the lion's off your back
Your blood is pumping so damn fast
Now I'm a bring you back
Well I've watched you stand
No I've watched you fall
Well it changed nothing at all
But if I'm still your man
And we've been through it all
To me that's beautiful
When them bullies gone
And the wine goes through
And all those hungry ladies
Have slept all their life about you
When you're empty and so tired
You can't seem to find your mind
Well the sun is on your back my friend now
Time to take what's mine
Well I've watched you stand
Oh I've watched you fall
Well it changed nothing at all (yeah yeah)
But if I'm still your man
And we've been through it all
To me that's beautiful
But if you lift your arms up now
Cause the lions off your back
Your blood is pumping so damn fast
Now time to bring it back
Well I've watched you stand
Oh I've watched you fall
Well it changed nothing at all (yeah yeah)
But if I'm still your man
And we've been through it all
To me that's beautiful
Beautiful, beautiful
Yeah to me
Yeah
That's beautiful
The song Stand & Fall is a reflection on the changing nature of time and the endurance of true relationships. The lyrics suggest that time is a powerful force that can rip through our lives and that there is no way to go back. The song draws a comparison between the changes that time brings and the different stages of a relationship. Despite all of the ups and downs, the singer is still committed to the relationship, even if it has not necessarily changed anything at all.
The lyrics also touch upon the idea of loyalty and the difference between those who stand by you and those who do not. The song suggests that when times get tough, some people will leave and never come back, while others will stand by your side no matter what. The song encourages the listener to lift their arms up and fight back, even when the odds seem insurmountable.
Overall, Stand & Fall is a song about resilience, loyalty, and the power of love and commitment in the face of adversity. It reminds us that even when life seems to be crashing down around us, there is always someone who will love us and stand by us.
Line by Line Meaning
You know that time changes
The passing of time affects everything and everyone.
Rips right through all our pages
It has a profound impact that cannot be undone, and can sometimes be painful.
And there ain't no going back
It's impossible to reverse the impact time has had on us.
We've run through all these stages
We've experienced life in all its ups and downs.
Sent here from many places
We come from different backgrounds and walks of life.
And I'm still coming back
Despite everything, we continue to persevere and move forward.
I've watched you stand
I have witnessed your moments of strength.
Oh I've watched you fall
I have also been there for you during times of weakness and vulnerability.
It ain't changed nothing at all
These experiences may not change the situation, but they mean something in the grand scheme of things.
But if I'm still your man
If I am still here for you despite everything, even when you have fallen, that is something special.
And we've been through it all
We have experienced all of life's ups and downs together.
To me that's beautiful
Our shared experiences, even the difficult ones, are what make our connection special and meaningful.
And when the tide changes
When things begin to shift and the situation becomes more difficult.
You can see me fall
You will see me at my weakest.
They'll just go masquerade themselves
Others may pretend to care, but they won't really be there for you.
And never bleed for you at all
They won't be willing to make a sacrifice for you.
But if you lift your arms up now
If you push back against the challenges and refuse to give up.
'Cause the lion's off your back
If you can overcome the burdens that have been weighing you down.
Your blood is pumping so damn fast
You will feel energized and empowered.
Now I'm a bring you back
I will be there to support you as you pull through this difficult time.
When them bullies gone
When the people who have been causing you trouble are no longer an issue.
And the wine goes through
When time has passed and you've had a chance to recover emotionally.
And all those hungry ladies
When people who have been trying to take advantage of you are no longer around.
Have slept all their life about you
When people have been wrong about you all along.
When you're empty and so tired
When you're feeling drained and overwhelmed.
You can't seem to find your mind
When you feel lost and disoriented.
Well the sun is on your back my friend now
But the sun is starting to shine again and you're ready to start moving forward.
Time to take what's mine
It's time to start working toward recovery and reclaiming what is rightfully yours.
Beautiful, beautiful
Even the difficult times can be beautiful in their own way.
Yeah to me
These experiences are beautiful and meaningful to me.
That's beautiful
The connection and shared experiences we have are truly beautiful.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind